Taxi war in Morocco: Laftit finally tackles the "lobbies" of the "grimates

The tug-of-war is intensifying around the reform of taxis in Morocco. Parliament has relaunched this week the debate on the necessary overhaul of the Dahir of 1963, a text considered unsuitable for current technological realities and the mobility needs of citizens. At the heart of the criticisms: the system of "grimates" (licenses), which limits access to the market and promotes a rentier economy to the detriment of professional drivers and service quality.

The legislative proposals aim for a break with the status quo: creation of a unified national application for small and large taxis, obligation to form companies for holders of multiple licenses in order to ensure social coverage for drivers, and increased professionalization through mandatory training. The energy transition towards hybrid or electric vehicles is also on the agenda.

However, this desire for modernization is colliding with the reality on the ground. On the one hand, drivers using VTC applications continue to suffer vehicle seizures and prosecutions, due to the lack of a clear legal framework. On the other hand, the Minister of the Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, denounced a "strong resistance" emanating from influential players in the sector, who are taking advantage of the current stagnation to preserve their financial privileges.